AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > April > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAaron doesn’t owe Bonds a thing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
This column probably could say all that need be said with one sentence: Henry Aaron is in no way obligated to join in the choir of authentication of Barry Bonds, should Bonds hit his 756th home run — you’ll note I didn’t use the term “break Aaron’s home run record” — send him a nice message and keep on selling those cars.
This subject is brought about by a column that came out of Detroit the other day. “Hank Aaron is a coward,” it was written. The theme was that Aaron owes it to Bonds to be there when Bonds passes Aaron in the home run book. That it is his duty. That he owes it to baseball. And that by not doing so, he gives a cowardly impression.
Aaron did what he did with what nature gave him. He was as natural a hitter as ever lived. “I don’t try to hit home runs,” he said, while we were putting together his book — cleverly titled “Aaron” — “I just try to hit the ball and if it leaves the park, fine.”
As he approached Babe Ruth’s record of 714, he did admit that he was swinging for the fences. “I wasn’t trying to hit singles,” he said.
Bonds is carrying more baggage — make that garbage — than a city dump. They say he has never failed a drug test, but when has he had one? What about the close ties he has to those shady characters working with steriods in the San Francisco area? At least one convicted and served time. Something has bothered me a great deal since the day that Gary Sheffield joined the Braves, just passing through. “I spent the off-season training with Barry Bonds,” he said at his press conference.
From Florida to California to spend training time with Barry Bonds? Is Bonds some kind of training guru? Never did make sense, but he was never called on it.
Aaron once admitted he had tinkered with an “outside substance.” He took one “greenie” one time and that was enough.
“I tried those things one time in my life. One pill,” he said. “We were playing in St. Louis, and you know how hot it gets there. I thought just one pill might pep me up one hot afternoon. I went out for batting practice. I started feeling so bad I thought I was having a heart attack.”
In the heat of the record pursuit, Aaron sufffered through some harsh personal times. He never spoke of it until he neared the end of the book, the “hate” mail he was getting, “threatening me, my family and warning me not to hit any more home runs.” Even his daughter, a student at Fisk University in Tennessee, was the target of threatening mail. On top of all that, he went through the agony of a divorce. Only time he was unburdened was when he stood at the plate with a bat in his hands.
The proposal that he should honor Bonds by appearing when Bonds celebrates his personal moment has received no wave of support. Even the man for whom Aaron hit his last home run, Bud Selig, then owner of the Milwaukee Brewers, now the commissioner, apparently isn’t making plans to be there. Why celebrate a moment created under false pretenses? Besides, remember, Bowie Kuhn never showed up when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record in Atlanta. Nor did Willie Mays show up when Aaron broke Mays’ personal home run record.
Through it all, Aaron weathered the storm gracefully. And some of the cross-examining he went through defied reason. Amid the hundreds of questions tossed his way, he had to field one from some bloke that hit the wall. “What have you done for baseball?” the guy asked.
Aaron looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“When Babe Ruth hit his home runs he saved baseball. He gave it a new face. What have you done?”
Aaron pondered briefly, then said, “Maybe what I’ve done is create some new fans for baseball. At first, there was a lot of mail from older people who didn’t want me to break Babe Ruth’s record. The younger generation then began to come to my support. I think they wanted to relate to me, to have the record set in their time. That’s about all I can say I’ve done for baseball, I guess.”
Wherever, whenever Bonds hits his tainted home run, I trust that Henry Aaron will be doing business as usual, in his office, not at the ballpark. What’s cowardly about that? Send him a telegram. Collect.
Permalink | Comments (39) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Furman Bisher
Comments
By HANK FAN
April 28, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
Hammerin Hank would’ve had 1000 homers with todays balls & minature parks.SIR Henry probably had over 500 balls die on warning tracks across the country.Todays super balls would’ve been moon launches.I had the pleasure of seeing # 715 & most definetly don’t want the record broke & tainted.Ban bonds today.Hank, an all American hero hall of famer, an national hero. A Fabulous representative for truth, justice & America’s game!
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 28, 2007 1:25 AM | Link to this
In fairness to Gary Sheffield, he abruptly terminated his friendship with Bonds some time before the steroid monster started rearing its ugly head. Obviously nobody really knows the facts of the case, but being a fan of Sheff as I am, I’m willing to grant him the benefit of the doubt and assume he stopped working out with Bonds after he found out that Bonds was taking steroids. I could be wrong, but I hope not.
But about Hank Aaron, of course he doesn’t owe anything to Bonds. Regardless of whether Bonds used steroids or not, Aaron would be well within his rights not to be there when Bonds hits #756, just because of the way Bonds has carried himself throughout his career.
By Matthew At The SLC
April 28, 2007 6:09 AM | Link to this
I just emailed this joke of a journalist Rob Parker and I’ll paste what I wrote below. Everyone in Atlanta should write Mr. Parker and tell him where he can go with his opinion. His email is rob.parker@detnews.com
And this is what I wrote him:
Parker,
What freaking planet do you live on where the classiest man in the history of baseball owes Barriod Bonds ANYTHING? It seems to me that if anyone owes anyone anything is that Barriod owes Aaron an apology for breaking his record while cheating.
And don’t give me that b.s. about never failing a drug test. Are you that stupid that you’re going to hide behind a innocent until proven guilty stance? SI.com and ESPN.com have both ran picture retrospectives of Barriod’s career, and you can see it between 1999 and 2001. From 1999 and 2001, Barry Bonds becomes Barriod Bonds. When you get to be over 30, it is biologically impossible for your feet, hands, limbs, and head to grow bigger without HGH. It doesn’t happen, ever, without outside substances. So explain to me how Barriod’s head grew more than a full hat size? Barriod now looks like a freaking bobble-head doll his head is so big. So if you want to act like an idiot and play naive, you’re the one looking stupid because of your refusal to SEE the truth with your eyes.
When you call out Hank Aaron for refusing to watch a cheater and a criminal break his record, well, Sir, YOU are the coward. And yes, I said criminal, as in it’s illegal to use the substances Barriod was using them for in the way he was using them. So whether it was not “illegal” in baseball at that time is irrelevant, it was illegal in the U.S., and I think that trumps MLB.
The problem with this whole issue are people like YOU and ESPN who are acting like nothing is wrong with Barriod getting ready to break this record. How dare you call Hank Aaron a coward for having the MORAL COURAGE to not take part in this farce. Do you even know what moral courage is, Parker? It’s doing the right thing, for the right reasons, especially when it’s not popular or when no one is looking. Hank Aaron’s picture is in Webster’s Dictionary beside that definition for the way he acted while chasing Ruth’s record, and also for the way he is acting now.
What Aaron is doing, Parker, is the classy, right , and moraly courageous thing.
He’s not taking part, and yet, he’s not going out there and calling Barriod out, either. Because Hank Aaron is ABOVE this situation. He doesn’t want to dirty his hands by talking about it, or aknowledging anything about it.
You calling Hank Aaron a coward, for all he went through, for all he’s done for baseball… you should be fired and relegated to working for the Yukon Free Press, or some such paper with the smallest readership possible. What a terrible, terrible thing for you to say about a man who has more class and moral coiurage in what he flushes down the toilet every morning than you and Barriod Bonds put together.
You should be ashamed of yourself, but like many in your chosen profession, I know you aren’t ever going to be when I’m sure this isn’t the only thing in your life you should be ashamed of. You know, Parker, it is people like you who give the press a bad reputation in this country. After reading you calling out Hank Aaron and calling him a coward, it does not surprise me that in most riviled people in America, the press is running neck and neck with politicians and drug dealers.
I sincerely hope you begin to get your priorities in life straight, because sticking up for Barriod Bonds at the expense of the wonderful Hank Aaron says a lot about the way you are going about living your life. As in your perspective is so out of whack that there is no way you can walk in a straight line.
What a shame. What a damn shame, Parker. Shame on you.
Matthew
Athens, GA
Student
By Gene
April 28, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
In the late 60’s, I spent a great deal of time out at Atlanta Stadium. Aaron had that wonderful swing, that was mainly a flick of his wrists, that sent line drives over “Nockahoma’s” little teepee. I have never seen a swing like that. That is what Aaron did for baseball. Bonds was pretty graceful too, when he weighed 185, but now he is an embarrassment to the game. I do not recognize anything he does, and I will be glad when he goes away.
By bugger
April 28, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Here’s the one I sent him. Please, feel free to send him you own. The little farthead deserves it.
Hank Aaron is the epitome of class, a concept that escapes you, because you obviously have none. Barry Bonds, long before he grew into the shape he holds today, proved he has no class either.
Barry Bonds is a suspected cheater for very real reasons. After looking at the evidence that is available, I conclude he most likely juiced and I hope he is indicted before he breaks Aaron’s record to add even more tarnish to a record he does not deserve.
Hank Aaron owes nothing to Barry Bonds. His supporters owe nothing to you. But congratulations, your juvenile rant has earned you my _ and I suspect others’ _ undying contempt.
By Peyton Walters
April 28, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Hey Matthew and Bugger, here’s what I wrote to her:
Ms. Parker:
Hank Aaron = class Barry Bonds = trash Rob Parker = a$$
I pray for your castration via pitbull as soon as possible.
By SICEM
April 28, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
The only thing MR.Henry Aaron owes Barroid Bonds is a swift kick in the tail then ignore him the rest of his life. Hammerin Hanks record will never REALLY be broken.
By Bill
April 28, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Matthew - A minor thing, but don’t you mean “Barroid,” not “Barriod”?
By Matthew At The SLC
April 28, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Okay, I can’t spell, thanks for pionting that out ;o).
By MWK
April 28, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
Tis a shame, a damn shame that anyone would write such an ill-thought column in reference to one of the greatest symbols in baseball to date.
Hank Aaron did more in his career than Bonds did, it’s not just about homeruns, everything he did was better. Even if Bonds wasn’t a cheater, Henry would owe him nothing, for Henry’s career would still make Bonds’ look pitiful.
By Ron Mexico
April 28, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Peyton, I can arrange that for you. If I get my dogs back.
By Josh C
April 28, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Barry will never be in Hank’s league, even if he hits 1000 hr’s
By DirtyDawg
April 28, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Need to include in the message to the writer in Detroit…’And by the way, Barry Bonds still couldn’t fill Hank’s jock strap…for obvious reasons.’
By Chris
April 28, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
Hank owes Bonds nothing. Bonds has made no effort to reach out to Hank over this entire record chase. BOnds whines over that he is owed the respect by Aaron. Hank owes Bonds nothing, Hank obtained the record with out the aide of performance enhancing substances, that Bonds needs to admit that he has taken. Hank will always be the Home Run King in my eyes.
By Ted
April 28, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
I always felt that Willie Mays hated Aaron. He was jealous because he knew Aaron was a better ballplayer and a classier man even through Mays got more attention. I wouldn’t be surprised if he introduced his God son to drugs in order to surpass Aaron’s record.
By bugger
April 28, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
The words of a sane man:
Parker: Aaron is a coward
April 24, 2007 By Ray McNulty The associated press “Hank Aaron is a coward.”
Somebody actually wrote that.
And, no, it wasn’t somebody from 1974, when racists’ hate mail and death threats followed Aaron around the country as he chased Babe Ruth’s home-run record.
It was Rob Parker, a sports columnist who chose those ridiculous words to open his wrong-headed piece in last Friday’s editions of the Detroit News.
His reasoning?
Parker brands Aaron a coward because Aaron won’t say publicly why he will not be in attendance when Barry Bonds hits No. 756 and supplants Aaron as baseball’s home-run king. He argues Aaron “needs to take a stand — either denounce Bonds’ attempt because he’s been implicated in the steroids scandal, or embrace Bonds’ accomplishment and show up.”
Parker should be ashamed of himself.
Because he knows better.
Parker knows enough about baseball history to know what Aaron went through. He knows that Aaron courageously ignored frightening threats on his life and stood tall in the batter’s box in Atlanta, in the Deep South, just six years after Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down in Memphis. He knows Aaron isn’t a coward.
So, to borrow a phrase from his column: There’s no other way to look at it.
This was a cheap shot.
And as someone who knows and likes Parker, personally — we covered many of the same events while working for competing newspapers in New York in the mid-1990s — I’m embarrassed for him, professionally.
Aaron, one of the most gracious and compelling ambassadors baseball has known, doesn’t owe Parker or me or anyone else any explanations. He doesn’t need to explain why he doesn’t want to be there to shake Bonds’ hand. He doesn’t need to take a stand.
Not on this.
Truth is, we already know how Aaron feels about Bonds’ tainted assault on the most hallowed record in American sport. Actions really do speak louder than words. And Aaron, a man of unimpeachable dignity and character and class, speaks volumes by saying he wants no part of what promises to be one of the most awkward moments in sports history.
He’s saying he cannot legitimize Bonds’ record. He’s saying he will not lend his presence or give credibility to a farce. He’s saying he won’t endorse cheating.
He’s just saying it without saying it.
But, apparently, Parker doesn’t get it. He can’t appreciate the concept of tact. He can’t understand the noble practice of taking the high road. He can’t accept that Aaron would rather say nothing than say something to diminish another man’s achievement.
Instead, Parker accuses Aaron of taking the “easy way out” and demands that he join a divisive debate that does nothing but drag the game Aaron loves into the gutter in which Bonds wallows.
He does a great man a great injustice. And, no, the great man isn’t Bonds.
Under different circumstances — if Bonds’ pursuit of the record wasn’t conducted in a cloud of controversy, if there wasn’t so much circumstantial evidence linking him to steroids — Aaron would surely take part in the festivities.
If his record were to fall to Alex Rodriguez or Ken Griffey Jr. or anyone else not connected to baseball’s steroids scandal, Aaron would be honored to shake his hand.
Clearly, though, Aaron believes too many of Bonds’ home runs came out of a bottle. And as much as I would like to hear him say so, I respect his right not to.
Moreover, I admire Aaron’s decision to not put his longtime friend, baseball commissioner Bud Selig, in the uncomfortable position of having to respond to whatever he might say.
That’s not a coward.
That’s a gentleman.
By JACK
April 28, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
AS JUST A LITTLE BOY IN THE LATE 60’S EARLY 70’S I SAW MR. AARON PLAY AND YES HIT A COUPLE OF HOMERUN’S,AND THEN STAY WELL AFTER THE GAME MAYBE 2OR 3 HOURS,JUST TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS FOR ALL THE KIDS AND ADULT’S,WITHOUT CHARGING THEM ONE-PENNY FOR DOING IT,AND HE WOULD SAY THANK YOU FOR COMMING AND WATCHING US PLAY,IN THAT ERA IN ATLANTA HE HAD TO HAVE PUT UP WITH A LOT OF B.S. THAT BONDS CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE,GO BACK TO THE BEGENNING OF BONDS CAREER AND EVEN WAY BACK THEN HE WAS A MAJOR A$$,HE HAS REFUSED TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS FOR ANY WHITE PERSON OR ANY RACE OF HE DID’NT APPROVE OF. IN JUST MY OPINION YOU JUST CANNOT SAY BONDS NAME IN THE SAME BREATH AS THAT OF MR. HANK AARON,BONDS WAS BORN A BIG CRY-BABY, A LIER’ER, AND MOST OF ALL THE BIGGEST DAMN CHEATER BASEBALL HAS, OR EVER WILL HAVE KNOWN. WORSE THAN THE BLACK-SOX MESS.
By Rabbit
April 28, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
Just mention the name Hank Aaron and the game of baseball and you will never need to explain or reason anything. Yes, it was a different generation, but we could all learn from the man…….
By Phil
April 28, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Retire, your stupid and old. No really retire, go away and just stop being such a cry baby. Those that can DO and then there fools who think they can write. RETIRE
By John Chambers
April 28, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Hank Aaron is an uncle tom. As he approached Babe Ruths record attendance suddenly declined. Whites hated him then and love him now? Barry is going to crush Aaron’s record, and will probably end up in the 800 club all by himself. There’s nothing you can do about it. Go cry a river.
By Will
April 28, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Aaron went through things that a 38 year old white guy will never understand… Let me settle this once and for all: who would you rather your kid to grow up and be more like Bonds or Aaron? Aaron is a man who went trough actual adversity. Bonds grew up the son of a hall of fame baseball player. He still hasn’t become a man.
By seth
April 29, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
John Chambers who the hell are you - a Barry fan? And if so, why are you a Barry fan? The man is the antichrist of baseball. You surely have no respect for the game which makes me wonder what you’re doing on a baseball blog. Barry Bonds “breaking the record” will only be a big to-do if the media covers it heavily. The baseball world at large will be indifferent and embarrassed that such a lowly, immoral a***** will be taking the torch from such a prolific and decent man. Go away, you’re a moron and a prick.
By Spike
April 29, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
To even compare Barry Bonds to Hank Aaron is a travesty. Hank Aaron is a courteous, humble gentleman who respected the game of baseball. He carries himself with an air of dignity and pride while not being arrogant. No matter how many homeruns Barry Bonds hits, he will never be the man Hank Aaron is. Never.
By vwburt
April 29, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
henry aaron was born in an era where a black man had little chance for sucess. but henry bucked the odds by becoming an hall of fame baseball player. that is only one part of his life. since coming to atlanta, he has become an outstanding business man,a vice president of the braves,a respected spokeman for his race,has given much of his time to making atlanta a better place for all it,s citizens to live. every record henry aaron holds in baseball was the honest way. NOW, WHAT HAS BONDS DONE.
By Drexel Gal
April 29, 2007 4:21 AM | Link to this
Two references to the same thing —- one made by Aaron himself a few weeks ago, and one made by Mr. Bisher today —- show that some updating to modern culture is in order. To wit: Western Union no longer sends telegrams. The last one was delivered more than a year ago.
E-mail [like this one] killed the telegram.
By Todd Green
April 29, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this
Born and raised in Georgia, I am the biggest braves fan in South Florida and one of the biggest bravesfans EVER! I do not believe Aaron owes Barry Bonds ANYTHING; but that being said, I do not thi nk Hank Aaron should do to Bonds what the Ruth fans, etc. did to him. Even the commissioner practically snubbed Aaron. I do not think Aaron should go on a Bonds road trip, but when Bonds is within 4 of tying, Aaron, with MLB financing Aaron’s travel, should be there. Hell, I hope the record wold never be broken, being a Braves fan, but Bonds can flat out hit. There is an old saying when I palyed little league baseball; ‘You can’t hit what you can’t see’.
By LivininAL
April 29, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this
Since Barry has been so distant, ill tempered, arrogant, and self-centered his entire career,seems only appropriate that the celebration be by himself. He created the situation.
By mLn
April 29, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
My wish is that pitchers all over the league would simlpy stop pitching to Bonds when he gets closer to the 756 homeruns. Just walk him. I imagine MLB would get mad and fine teams if they kept walking him on purpose. Just one Hank Aaron fan’s dream…
By itsme
April 29, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Hank Aaron is the best… a real class act. That’s what he’s done for baseball!
By itsme
April 29, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
And what Hank Aaron’s done for baseball Furman Bisher has done for sports journalism.
By KAZ
April 29, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
You people make me sick. Does anyone ever mention that Barry had almost 500 home runs BEFORE his 73homer season. Do you mention that he’s still hitting home runs at 42 WITH drug testing. Or how about the fact that he won several MVP’s while he was with the Pirates. Or the fact that this guys first year in the majors was 20 years ago and that his 20 year average is only slightly more then 36 a year. Or maybe the fact that he’s the only player in the 500/500 club ( note, most of those stolen bases were pre-1998) You look the other way with your poster boys like clemens but Bonds is always villified. Aaron does owe bonds because he OWES the game of baseball, and if you really knew hank, like I do, you know that he is not the CLASS ACT he seems to be. You can like hor or hate him, but the man had remarkable number thoughout his ENTIRE career. Give him that at least!
By chip
April 29, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
when an actress or actor gets a facelift so they can keep getting roles is that cheating?When Pam Anderson or Halle Berry gets a boob job is that cheating?When Jimi Hendrix had to take drugs to play the guitar was he cheating?when the Beatles were under the influnce of drugs to write better songs were they cheating?When some of you who are taking Viagra are you cheating?Some people have to do things to give them a little edge,I can’t even start work unless I have a cup of coffee!Bonds probaly took steroids but he still was going against power pitchers like Roger Clemons & Randy Johnson.Just because you take steroids does not mean you can hit a 100mph fastball you still have to have skill.No disrespect to the older players,but do you think Babe Ruth or Hank aaron could hit a fast ball thrown by Roger Clemons?
By david
April 29, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
To deny that Bonds is on drugs is to deny that the sun rises in the east & sets in the west. If MLB had any integrity, this asterisk HR chase would’ve been squashed years ago. Because the owners & players are shameless, this type of joke is tolerated. This kind of stuff drove me away from MLB for good.
By Rabbit
April 29, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hey Will, I’ve ran through every book that I can find and there is nothing about Bobby Bond being a Hall of Famer. Matter of fact…I would have to classify “Dad” as an underacheiver- rather than your off the wall Hall choice. Rabbit-
By We Hate Jerks
April 29, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Hank Aaron = Class Act and Best of What Baseball Has to Offer
Barry Bonds = Complete Horse’s @$$ and WORST of What Baseball Has to Offer
By toocoldscorpio
April 29, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
Furman Bisher has miss lead us with this column. I read that article in the detroit news paper and the sense I got from it was Hank Aaron should either denouce Bonds or embrace the record. But read it for yourself. You can’t even trust Furman Bisher. http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070420/SPORTS08/704200362/1129/SPORTS0104
By bugger
April 29, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
A world population of billions, but there’s only one biggest idiot. With his column, Rob Parker proves it is him. What does he do for an encore, call Mother Teresa a habit-headed ho?
Saw a Q&A with Parker and he says he stands by what he wrote. Well a fly stands by a dog turd, too, but that don’t make him right.
By Me
April 29, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
Just another aside. Besides the obvious things about Barry, he also has the smallest strike zone I’ve ever seen, stands on top of the plate, is allowed to wear armor like a medieval knight, and if any pitcher dares move him off the plate they are called headhunters. One of my favorite baseball memories is just a couple years ago watching Randy Johnson throw inside to back Barry off the plate. Barry dug right back in and the next pitch hit him square in the middle of the back. He went to his knees and never offered to say a word to RJ.
By hop
April 29, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
another great article furman, your give a great prospective in your work.